Carts To Replace Little Blue Bins

Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:14 p.m.

By October, Lakeland residents will be able to stuff their recyclables into a 35-gallon or 65-gallon cart instead of the little blue bin that's been around since 1999.

In addition to papers, glass and plastics, the city will start accepting new items, such as polystyrene, the material used to manufacture cups and carry-out food carriers, plastic lawn chairs, pots, small kitchen appliances and plastic children's toys.

The new service will be similar to the city's automated garbage pickup.

Commissioners voted 7-0 on Monday to purchase six new automated trucks and 34,000 containers similar to the recently purchased garbage carts. The cost for the new containers is $1.5 million.

The trucks will cost $1.7 million, but Rick Lilyquist, city director of public works, said the current trucks were scheduled to be replaced this year. The cost to buy new automated trucks, compared to current trucks, will be an additional $514,000.

Commissioner Phillip Walker said the bigger carts and automated service will encourage more recycling in the city.

"My bin is too small now," Walker said. "This is a plus for the citizens."

City officials sent out letters to Lakeland residents last week about the upcoming changes. Residents will have the option to choose the blue 65-gallon or 35-gallon container.

Lilyquist said there are several perks for the new service:

City employees will no longer have to get out of the trucks to load recyclables.

Residents will no longer need to carry one or even two heavy blue bins to the street.

People no longer need to worry about the possibility of rain soaking paper or wind blowing plastics or paper out of the bin.

Residents will not be required to pay an additional fee for the new recycling service.

Unlike automated garbage service, which was implemented in stages, the recycling service will start at the same time throughout the city.

<p>LAKELAND | Goodbye little blue bins, hello big blue carts.</p><p>By October, Lakeland residents will be able to stuff their recyclables into a 35-gallon or 65-gallon cart instead of the little blue bin that's been around since 1999.</p><p>In addition to papers, glass and plastics, the city will start accepting new items, such as polystyrene, the material used to manufacture cups and carry-out food carriers, plastic lawn chairs, pots, small kitchen appliances and plastic children's toys.</p><p>The new service will be similar to the city's automated garbage pickup. </p><p>Commissioners voted 7-0 on Monday to purchase six new automated trucks and 34,000 containers similar to the recently purchased garbage carts. The cost for the new containers is $1.5 million. </p><p>The trucks will cost $1.7 million, but Rick Lilyquist, city director of public works, said the current trucks were scheduled to be replaced this year. The cost to buy new automated trucks, compared to current trucks, will be an additional $514,000.</p><p>Commissioner Phillip Walker said the bigger carts and automated service will encourage more recycling in the city.</p><p>"My bin is too small now," Walker said. "This is a plus for the citizens."</p><p>City officials sent out letters to Lakeland residents last week about the upcoming changes. Residents will have the option to choose the blue 65-gallon or 35-gallon container.</p><p>Lilyquist said there are several perks for the new service:</p><p>City employees will no longer have to get out of the trucks to load recyclables.</p><p>Residents will no longer need to carry one or even two heavy blue bins to the street. </p><p>People no longer need to worry about the possibility of rain soaking paper or wind blowing plastics or paper out of the bin.</p><p>Residents will not be required to pay an additional fee for the new recycling service.</p><p>Unlike automated garbage service, which was implemented in stages, the recycling service will start at the same time throughout the city.</p><p>[ John Chambliss can be reached at 863-802-7588. ]</p>